Who's Looking

Troubleshooting

Texting doesn't activate the app

Do you have a texting replacement app
such as Handcent,
Go SMS, or AT&T Messenger? If so follow the workaround at the
bottom of this page.

If you have Google Voice as a
replacement for regular
texting, this app will not function. This app needs real texting
provided by your network provider.

If you're texting from a text sending
website, such as
vtext.com, the app will most likely not function. Try using the
Commander found on our website if you want to use a computer.

Some attention words may not work
right. Try changing the
attention word for the feature you are trying to use. Also, if you're
trying a phrase (more than one word) then try using just a single word.
Please note that any text that starts with that word will set it off.

If the phone you're texting from has
a signature, try
removing the signature. The app can ignore signatures, but sometimes is
unable to.

If all else fails, an uninstall then
reinstall usually
clears up most problems.

Can't unistall the app

If you can't uninstall the app you
may need to remove it
as
a 'Device Admin' first. This can be done though either the lock or wipe
setup menus.

Texting replacement apps

If you have an SMS replacement app
(Handcent/Go SMS). The
workaround to fix this is very similar for both apps.

Go SMS - Open Go SMS, hit 'Menu' and
click
'Settings', click on 'Receive Settings', then uncheck the 'Disable
other message notifications. Then open the built in SMS app, hit 'Menu'
then click settings, there is a setting called 'Notifications' uncheck
that.

Handcent SMS - Open Hancent, Hit 'Menu'
and
select Settings, Click Application settings, then Default Messaging
Application, Set this to 'Disable'. Then open the built in SMS app, hit
'Menu' then click settings, there is a setting called 'Notifications'
uncheck that.

Location
(GPS/Network)

Location not accurate when using your phones Google Maps
app.

Viewing location link using a browser provides better
location accuracy then using the phones Google Maps
app. Verify by failing a screen unlock attempt to have an email sent
with the
location of your phone. View the same link with both options to see
which one
displays the actual location better.

GPS doesn't respond

Do you have a task management app? Apps like these are
likely to kill Who's Looking while it works in the background to get
your phones
location. Solution: Add Who's Looking to your task management apps
exclude list
so it doesn't kill Who's Looking.

GPS fails to get location

GPS may not enable by itself on all phones. To ensure the
GPS feature works, enable both GPS and network based location from
within the GPS setup menu.

GPS can fail to find the exact location of a device if
too
many material obstructions are in the way of the satellite signal. The
most common places for GPS to fail are in hospitals or metal roofed
office buildings. When the GPS application fails to get a clear reading
of the latitude and longitude, the app will then send the user the
network based location of their device. The network based location is
the location of the closest cell tower to the device and could be
several miles away from the the actual location. Satellite locations
are constantly changing because of the curvature of the Earth so if the
GPS fails to get the exact location try again at a different time
during the day.

Camera

Fails to take picture

The app may fail to take a picture if your battery is
low.
This is because Android locks out camera access on low power.

Picture is dark or black

Who's looking will use the front camera to take pictures
of someone trying to unlock your phone.
Most devices do not have a flash for the front camera, so if the
lighting is dark the picture will be dark as well.
You will still know when the person tried to look at your phone and
with the Pro version the location.

Fails to email picture

In settings, verify the "To Email" address is set
correctly to your email address. If sending email from your own account
also verify you have entered it correctly in the "User Gmail address"
and the password is
correct

FAQ

If the device is off or has a dead battery will the app
still work?

No, it's impossible for any app to run without the device
being on. For example, your computer can't conduct a virus scan if it's
turned off.

Can you make the app turn
GPS on if it is off?

Yes and no. The app will try to enable GPS anytime that it
needs it. On some newer phones Google has removed the ability for us to
enable GPS for you.

The app does not enable GPS for me, why?

While the app does try to enable GPS on all devices it may
not be able to for your device. In this case we recommend leaving GPS
on if you want to be able to use this feature.

But doesn't leaving GPS on drain my devices battery power?

No, a lot of people think that leaving the “Use GPS” and
“WiFi Location” boxes unchecked will result in better battery life.
This is not true and here is why.

The "Use Wireless Networks" and "Use
GPS Satellites" are permission
settings. These settings ONLY allow/disallow applications to use
wireless networks and/or GPS to get the device location. These settings
do not turn on or off any hardware, therefore is does not save your
phone’s battery to have them enabled. Applications turn on/off the GPS
when they are using it, and you can tell when this is happening because
a GPS icon will appear by the clock. So leaving "Use Wireless Networks"
and "Use GPS Satellites" on does not affect battery life, it just gives
permission for apps to get your location. If you are experiencing power
drain when GPS is enabled you may have an app that is running in the
background using the GPS. You should find that app and change its
settings or remove it so it stops using GPS.

I used the GPS function and the
location is way off, why?

GPS can fail to find the exact location of a device if
too many material obstructions are in the way of the satellite signal.
The most common places for GPS to fail are in hospitals or metal roofed
office buildings. When the GPS application fails to get a clear reading
of the latitude and longitude, the app will then send the user the
network based location of their device. The network based location is
the location of the closest cell tower to the device and could be
several miles away from the actual location. Satellite locations are
constantly changing because of the curvature of the Earth so if the GPS
fails to get the exact location try again at a different time during
the day.

If a thief found my device
they could just uninstall the app, can you make the app need a password
to uninstall it?

No, for your security Google does not allow Android apps
to password protect their uninstallment. Google does this to protect
you from vicious apps that could harm your device and not allow you to
remove them.

Does this work with Google
Voice? I don't have regular texting.

No, Google Voice does not use the native SMS of the device
and therefore cannot be read by the app.

Is there a way to make the
SMS action code covert, or hide or delete the SMS messages so the
thief does not know they are being tracked?

Yes, you can use stealth mode. Stealth mode can be
activated in the apps Settings.

I lost my device and can't
remember my SMS (text) authorization code. What do I do?

For your security we do not keep your SMS authorization
code on file. It is recommended that if you write your SMS
authorization code, write it down in a safe place.

Permisions

User Permissions are things that the app can access on your
device. You may wonder what some of them mean and why they are needed
for the app. We have made this page to explain them to you.

Network Communication

Full network access - This is used to do the street
address lookup when you get the GPS location of your device. Also
needed for the email feature to send outgoing emails.

View network state - Ties into the last permission for
Internet access.

Your location

Fine (GPS) location - This is needed to get your devices
GPS and network based location.

System tools

Draw over other apps - Needed as part of capturing
invalid screen unlock attempts.

Your messages

Receive SMS - This is how the app reads incoming messages
to check for the action code.

Hardware controls

Change your audio settings - To change the devices volume
level off of silent and all the way up.

Take pictures and video - This is needed to access the
camera. This is used to take the picture of who is trying to unlock
your phone and also used to take pictures remotely to help track down
your phone.

Storage

Modify/delete SD card contents - This is needed for the
camera
feature, it allows the app to save the image to the SD card.